Apple is truly the iPhone company right now. But that could change soon.
The iPhone business accounts for a whopping 68% of Apple's total revenue, which should frighten Apple just a little bit. If something happens to the iPhone — rival phones get better, or a better mobile technology comes around — it could jeopardize the biggest source of Apple's income.
That's why Apple is investing in so many different cutting-edge technologies right now. Apple needs a hit, and it needs one soon. Thankfully, of all the "next big things" on the horizon, only one technology has the ability to surpass and actually replace the iPhone — and Apple is already investing in it.
It's augmented reality.
In augmented reality, a person wears a device over their face to let them see virtual elements layered on top of the real world. So you can still see the area around you, but you might see floating digital objects in your field of view like apps, games, or notifications.
(This is different from virtual reality, where the headset is designed to completely immerse you in a virtual world.)
One notable company that's invested in augmented technology is Microsoft. Last January, the company revealed its HoloLens augmented reality headset, which promises to revolutionize how people do work, play games, and so much more.
With HoloLens, you can design 3D objects in a full 3D space using simple gestures like pointing and pinching.
You can also play 3D games right in your living room, with convincing visuals and sound effects that make it feel like there are actually robots flying around your living room.
But here's where the applications get really interesting.
You can surf the web or watch Netflix from anywhere in the house — without the need for a TV or computer.
In fact, if you want to watch TV from a stationary point in your house, augmented reality can put a TV on your wall, and you can resize it however you like.